Music consumption (in terms of album sales, digital tracks and streaming volume) is up, thanks in large part to increases in streaming. So can market-level streaming activity help radio programmers when it comes to their format?

In September, we announced that we’re expanding the use of our Portable People Meter™ (PPM) technology for local TV ratings. In anticipation of this update, local TV stations require up-to-date encoding hardware in place to enable TV measurement through the PPM technology.

While podcast listening is booming, the lack of third-party podcast metrics based on consumption rather than downloads has kept advertisers from really committing budget to the space. That is set to change as we prepare to launch a syndicated podcast measurement service in 2017.

While country borders sharply define the nationality of the consumers within them, these lines drawn on a map don’t prevent consumer habits, spending and people from moving across them. Recently, Nielsen presented a cross-border study on consumer behavior and media consumption in the Rio Grande Valley.

At Nielsen, we’re optimistic about audio. And there’s good reason for it. Since last February, the average quarter hour (AQH) audience for audio has grown 13% in the portable people meter (PPM) markets among persons aged 6 and older. This year-over-year growth in audience reflects a significant improvement in our PPM measurement system.

Our new Nielsen Digital Audio Ratings will provide radio clients with a solution to assess the value and size of their overall over-the-air (OTA) and digital audience while aligning with established broadcast and digital currencies.

This year’s Nielsen Audio Client Conference was a defining moment for industry trade events everywhere. Not only did it bring programmers, marketers and brand managers together to focus on major issues facing the listening landscape, but it did so in a way that didn’t leave attendees asleep at their tables or struggling to find that lone kernel of insight.

Louise Keely, president at The Demand Institute, discusses China’s GDP and examines slowing economic growth, the prospect of stimulus, and investor confidence and markets. They speak on “Bloomberg <GO>.”Continue Reading